Signification
Asking to clarify speech.
Contexte culturel
Dutch people are very direct. Asking them to slow down is not seen as an insult to their speaking ability, but as a practical solution to a problem. Flemish speakers tend to be slightly more formal. You are more likely to hear 'u' even in shops where a Dutch person might use 'je'. Many expats struggle with the 'English switch'. Using this phrase in Dutch is a strong signal that you want to keep the conversation in Dutch. In Amsterdam, people speak very fast. In the north (Friesland) or south (Limburg), the tempo might be slower, but the accent might be harder to understand.
Use your hands
A small 'slow down' hand gesture while saying this helps the speaker understand your need immediately.
Don't forget the 'wat'
Without 'wat', the phrase can sound a bit like a command. 'Wat' makes you sound like a friendly learner.
Signification
Asking to clarify speech.
Use your hands
A small 'slow down' hand gesture while saying this helps the speaker understand your need immediately.
Don't forget the 'wat'
Without 'wat', the phrase can sound a bit like a command. 'Wat' makes you sound like a friendly learner.
The English Switch
If they switch to English, just say: 'Ik wil graag Nederlands oefenen, kun je het wat langzamer zeggen?'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing modal verb for a formal situation.
____ u het wat langzamer zeggen?
For the formal 'u', we use 'kunt'.
Which sentence has the correct word order?
Choose the correct Dutch sentence:
The infinitive 'zeggen' must go to the end of the sentence.
Match the Dutch word to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the core components of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the most polite option.
A: [Speaks very fast Dutch] B: Sorry, ik begrijp het niet. ________?
This is the most polite and clear way to ask for clarification.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices____ u het wat langzamer zeggen?
For the formal 'u', we use 'kunt'.
Choose the correct Dutch sentence:
The infinitive 'zeggen' must go to the end of the sentence.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the core components of the phrase.
A: [Speaks very fast Dutch] B: Sorry, ik begrijp het niet. ________?
This is the most polite and clear way to ask for clarification.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn the Netherlands, 'je' is fine for waiters. In Belgium, 'u' is better.
'Zeggen' is to say (a specific thing), 'praten' is to talk (the act of speaking). Both work here.
Because you want them to speak *slower* than they are currently speaking.
Yes, that is a shorter, slightly less polite but very clear version.
No, in this context 'wat' means 'a bit' or 'somewhat'.
It's a soft scrape at the back of your throat, like you're clearing it gently.
Try: 'Het gaat nog steeds te snel, kunt u het nóg langzamer zeggen?'
Yes, but usually in the 'u' form: 'Kunt u het wat langzamer zeggen?'.
Yes! 'Zou je het wat langzamer kunnen zeggen?' is even more polite.
Yes, 'het' refers to the thing they just said. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete.
Expressions liées
Wat zeg je?
similarWhat did you say?
Kunt u dat herhalen?
similarCan you repeat that?
Ik begrijp het niet.
builds onI don't understand.
Niet zo snel!
specialized formNot so fast!
